Ag, B, and Eu tri-modified BiVO4 photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation

Highlights: • Ag, B, and Eu tri-modified BiVO₄ were successfully prepared by an ethylene glycol sol-gel process and photodeposition. • ABE-BVO photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance. • O²⁻and h⁺ are main reactive species in photocatalytic reaction. • ABE-BVO exhibits a superior photocatalytic stability. To enhance the photocatalytic performance of a bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) photocatalyst, Ag, B, and Eu tri-modified BiVO₄ (ABE-BVO) photocatalysts were successfully prepared through an ethylene glycol sol-gel process and photodeposition. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRETEM), energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy(EDX), X-ray photoelectron (XPS), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL). It was found that the Ag, B, and Eu tri-modified BiVO₄ catalyst displays an apparently elevated photocatalytic performance towards methyl orange (MO) and tetracycline (TC) degradation compared to the as-prepared pure, single or co-modified BiVO₄ samples. A possible mechanism for the improved photocatalytic activity of Ag, B, and Eu tri-modified BiVO₄ was also investigated. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be mainly ascribed to the improved charge separation and transfer efficiency originating from the synergistic effect of the Ag, B, and Eu introduction.